This excerpt is taken from Sheikh Hussain bin Mubarak Al-Mawsili's Arabic book Al-Awamir wal-Nawahi, whose Urdu translation has been done by Muhammad Sarwar Gohar Sahib under the title Ahkamat o Mamnoaat.
Instructions Regarding Requesting Rain
① Sayyiduna Anas رضي الله عنه narrates that during the time of the Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم, people were afflicted by famine. The Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم was delivering the Friday sermon when a Bedouin stood up and said: O Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم! The wealth has perished, the livestock are suffering from hunger, please pray for us. The Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم extended his blessed hand, at that time the sky was completely clear, not a single cloud was visible. By the One in Whose hand is the life of Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم! We had not yet lowered our hands when the clouds spread like a mountain, and before the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم descended from the pulpit, I saw raindrops dripping from his beard. So it rained that day, it rained the next day, and the day after that, continuing until the next Friday. Then the same Bedouin or someone else said: O Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم! The houses have collapsed, the wealth has been drowned, so please pray to Allah for us. The Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم extended his blessed hand and prayed:
اللهم حوالينا ولا علينا
"O Allah! Take this rain elsewhere, do not let it fall upon us." Then the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم pointed towards the clouds, the clouds dispersed, and Madinah became like a shield. The valley of Qanat flowed for a month, and news of greenery and prosperity began to come from all sides.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Friday Prayer, Hadith 933. Muslim, Al-Istisqa, Hadith 897/8.
Hafiz Ibn Hajar رحمه الله العسقلاني said that the name of this Bedouin is not mentioned in this hadith. Then he mentioned that he was Ka'b ibn Murrah.
Reference: See Fath al-Bari 382/2.
This indicates that the petitioner was a Muslim.
Due to the famine, the grain, which is the basis of life, did not grow.
Reference: See Fath al-Bari 583/2.
An open space between hills and mountains where rain or floodwater flows.
Rulings of Salat al-Istisqa (Prayer for Rain)
① Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Zaid رضي الله عنه narrates that the Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم went outside to ask for rain, faced the Qibla, prayed, and turned his cloak inside out. He صلى الله عليه وسلم performed two rak'ahs and recited aloud in them.
Reference: Bukhari, Kitab al-Jumu'ah 1024. Muslim, Salat al-Istisqa 794.
Rulings of Salat al-Kusuf (Solar Eclipse Prayer)
① Sayyiduna Abu Masood رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
إن الشمس والقمر آيتان من آيات الله يخوف بهما عباده وإنهما لا ينكسفان لموت أحد من الناس فإذا رأيتم منها شيئا فصلوا وادعوا حتى يكشف ما بكم
"The sun and the moon are two signs among the signs of Allah. He causes fear in His servants through them, and an eclipse does not occur due to the death of any person. So when you see any such thing, pray and supplicate until the darkness goes away."
Reference: Bukhari, Kitab al-Jumu'ah 1041. Muslim, al-Kusuf 911.
② Sayyida Aisha رضي الله عنها narrates that during the time of the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم, a solar eclipse occurred. He صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم sent a caller who announced: "Gather for prayer." The Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم came to the mosque, people lined up behind him, and he صلى الله عليه وسلم prayed two rak'ahs, in which he made four rukus and four prostrations.
Reference: Bukhari, Kitab al-Jumu'ah 1066. Muslim, Kitab al-Kusuf 901/4.
